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Israel to probe Gazan's death

Authorities deny involvement in death of 25-year-old heart patient who died on way to Nablus hospital

Following Ynet's report of the death of Samir al-Nadim, a 25-year-old heart patient who died after being transferred from Gaza to Nablus for surgery, officials in the Coordination and Liaison Authority in Gaza said that they intend to probe the incident.

 

About a month ago, the al-Nadim family appealed to Israel  to allow Samir to undergo heart surgery in Nablus. The family's request, made via the Palestinian liaison authority, was granted three weeks later.

 

A day after being turned over to the West Bank, Samir died of inappropriate treatment in the Gaza Strip and a delay in his arrival in Nablus, according to the doctor assigned to his case.

 

Samir's family and the Doctors for Human Rights organization blamed the Coordination and Liaison Authority and demanded that their conduct be investigated.

 

Upon Ynet's approach, members in the authority claimed that "immediately upon receiving authorization, his transfer to the Nablus hospital was coordinated," and denied that his death was a result of their handling of the request.

 

However, an inquiry indicates that Shin Bet elements handed in their reference two days after receiving the application from the Coordination and Liaison Authority.


Al-Nadim. Died one day after transfer (Photo: Iad al-Nadim)

 

The coordinator of the government activities in the territories stated Monday that a "comprehensive inquiry" into the case's circumstances will be launched in order to draw lessons for the future. Sources at the Coordination and Liaison Authority expressed deep sorrow over al-Nadim's death and stated that a preliminary examination had been conducted.

 

The coordinator's office further stated that Samir's request was received from the Palestinian liaison authority by the Coordination and Liaison Authority as a normal application and not an urgent one.

 

'Complex reality'

"The application was turned over to security elements according to standard procedure after an Israeli Health Ministry representative deemed the request not urgent. Upon news (brought forward by the Coordination and Liaison Authority) of al-Nadir's deterioration, his request was dealt with in an immediate and urgent manner," the statement read.

 

The statement further noted that "officers and soldiers of the coordinator of the government activities in the territories and the Coordination and Liaison Authority in Gaza work daily in a complex reality and under many threats to security in order to enable the transfer of Palestinians from the Gaza Strip into Israel for various humanitarian purposes."

 

The coordinator's office also pointed to a 50% increase during the month of October in the number of permits issued to Gaza patients enabling entry into Israel, in comparison with September.

 


פרסום ראשון: 11.16.09, 20:00
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